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furniture plant that used mansonia wood. The entire operation had to be shut down for weeks. Obviously, the occasional case of dermatitis won't dis- courage woodworkers from continuing to use exotic woods. The best path to follow is one of prevention, including dust control , protective clothing, washing and shower facilities and barrier creams, such as DuPont's Pro-Tek. Persons who suspect they are sensitive to certain woods should have a doctor do a skin-patch test to find the cause of the allergy . Pesticides and preservatives introduced to wood while it is being timbered, processed and shipped may also cause dermatitis. These include everything from the highly toxic pentachlorophenol to the relatively innocuous polyethylene glycol (PEG) and denatured alcohol . Other chemicals often used in domestic wood processing are potassium dichromate, ethyl triethanol amine, glycol humectant, naphthenic acid, copper hydrate and zinc naphthenate. Standard threshold limit values (TLV's) based on current medical knowledge have been established for many of these chemicals, with the intention of protecting people whose jobs expose them constantly to these substances. But many chemicals banned in this country are routinely used by foreign loggers and shipping companies to prevent insect infestation, mold growth and dry rot in transit. It is almost impossible for a woodworker to ascertain which additives have been used. Michael McCann, an industrial hygienist and chemist with the Center for Occupational Hazards in New York City, says, "The best procedure to follow is to assume that the wood being used has been processed with dangerous chemicals and take the necessary precautions. It is also important to remember that it is not uncommon for woodworkers to toil 12 or more hours a day for weeks on end when preparing for a show or fair, or just plain getting caught up with a work order. Under these conditions, it becomes doubtful that established ny's for an eight-hour work day are applicable." Dr. Bertram W. Carnow, professor of occupational and environmental medicine at the University of Illinois, points out that the key factor in determining toxic levels for an individual is what he calls " total body burden" -the sum that each person's metabolism and general health will accommodate. " Liquid or solid particles such as fumes or vapors in aerosol form, cigarette smoke and other exposures in addition to those from materials used at work all contribute to the burden on the lungs, skin and other organs, and should be minimized," says Dr. Carnow. Many skin irritations are caused by contact with adhesives and solvents that dry the skin and make it more subject to infection. In addition, fumes from such chemicals often are not only toxic if inhaled or swallowed, but also highly flammable. Epoxies, for example, can cause severe blistering and scaling. Liquid, uncured epoxy resin and hardener will cause adverse reactions in more than 40% of all workers who come in contact with it . Synthetic adhesives, such as urea-formalde- Preventive Measures Few occupational health experts would advocate gtvmg up one's craft unless there were overwhelming evidence that a person's health was being seriously impaired , or that an irreversible allergy to materials had developed. In virtually all cases, simple modifications of the working environment and a few changes in work habits will resolve any hazards to health. Dr. Julian A. Waller believes that "a reasonably good margin of protection" can be obtained in most shops for under $100. He and other authorities in the field suggest the following preventive measures for woodworkers : Adequate ventilation is the basic, and probably most impor- tant, requirement of a safe shop. The exhaust system should begin as close as possible to the source of dust or fumes, so they cannot accumulate and will flow rapidly away from the worker's face. The exhaust should be vented to the outside whenever possible, and dust should be collected in a bag or bin. A shop vacuum with a homemade clamp that holds the nozzle near the source of dust and chips is a relatively inexpensive way to remove particles from the air. Fresh air should be allowed ro enter the working area freely. Shop cleanliness is another fundamental . A general cleanup is recommended at the end of each working day. When not in use, jars, cans and bags should be sealed, and spills should be wiped up promptly. For fine sawdust and sanding dust, the best cleanup methods are wet cloths, wet mopping or industrial-type wet vacuuming. Dry sweeping or blowing with an air hose only stirs up the dust. Personal hygiene also plays an important role. Dirty clothes, long fingernails and unwashed skin and hair can trap du'st , sqlids and dried liquids, and thus exposure continues even when the woodworker leaves the shop. Plastic disposable coveralls, gloves and hats can help reduce these hazards. Work clothes and equipment should be washed separately from other household items. Protective equipment such as face masks, respirators, eye goggles, ear plugs or muffs, and plastic or rubber gloves are essential for certain operations. Many safety devices, such as respirators and ear protectors, are rated for effectiveness by the federal government or the American National Standards Institute in New York City. A simple filter-type respirator will keep exotic dusts out of your lungs. Recent workshops on health hazards in the arts have placed heavy responsibility on craftsmen for maintaining awareness about medical matters related to their work. Most doctors are not well informed abour occupational hazards associated with the crafts, and many of the cumulative diseases do not become apparent until their damage is fairly extensive. Symptoms of slowdeveloping occupational diseases are often attributed to another cause or dismissed as psychosomatic. For these reasons, health authorities suggest four guidelines for wood workers : -Know as much as possible about the woods and other materials you use, what diseases they can cause, and what the danger signs are. -Suspect that a health problem may be related to woodworking if it improves after a layoff of a few days and gets worse when work is resumed. -Have a physician arrange a pulmonary-function test every two or three years. This test detects lung problems much sooner than X-rays can. -If a docror's diagnosis or treatment does not seem satisfactory, consult specialists on particular problems. -So 56 N. W.